Golfball putting game apparatus

ABSTRACT

The player uses a conventional golfball and putter. The game apparatus consists of a plurality of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;holes&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; each having a base, a vertical rod fixed to the base having a ledge elevated above the base and an inverted cup initially resting on the ledge. A triangular bar is fixed to the rod at the level of a ball rolling toward the rod dimensioned so that a ball rolling toward the rod and coming as close to the rod as the radius of a conventional golf hole cup will jar the rod sufficiently to drop the cup from its ledge to capture the ball. A single hole apparatus is marked so that it may be approached from several (e.g. three) directions and thus represent three different holes. A plurality of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;holes&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; is used, spread in a pattern so that the player approaches the holes sequentially in different directions.

United States Patent [1 1 Young GOLFBALL PUTTING GAME APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Lyman W. Young, 1551 Pacific Ave., Apt. 6, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95404 22 Filed: Nov. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 417,750

Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or FirmJulian Caplan Jan.7,1975

[57] ABSTRACT The player uses a conventional golfball and putter. The game apparatus consists of a plurality of holes each having a base, a vertical rod fixed to the base having a ledge elevated above the base and an inverted cup initially resting on the ledge. A triangular bar is fixed to the rod at the level of a ball rolling toward the rod dimensioned so that a ball rolling toward the rod and coming as close to the rod as the radius of a conventional golf hole cup will jar the rod sufficiently to drop the cup from its ledge to capture the ball. A single hole apparatus is marked so that it may be approached from several (e.g. three) directions and thus represent three different holes. A plurality of holes'is used, spread in a pattern so that the player approaches the holes sequentially in different direc tions.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 GOLF BALL PUTTING GAME APPARATUS This invention relates to a new and improved golfball putting game apparatus. The invention comprises an amusement device for one or several players and may be played indoors on the carpet or outdoors on the grass. In addition to its amusement and competitive features, it also teaches and improves the skill of putting.

A feature of the invention is the fact that the apparatus provides a position indication to the player and his opponents whether the ball has approached close enough to the hole so that if a ball were similarly stroked in a conventional golf game the ball would drop. For this purpose, a rod is positioned in the center of the hole on which is suspended an inverted cup. When the ball hits the rod, the cup drops over the ball. Near the base of the rod is a triangular horizontal bar spaced up from the base a distance equal to the distance between the ground and the center of a golf ball. The dimensions of the bar are such that it is contacted by the ball if it intersects a circle around the rod of a diameter equal to that of a conventional golf course cup.

Each of the sets of apparatus is sturdy, durable, light in weight and relatively inexpensive. Identical pieces of apparatus may be spread around in a pattern so that a series of golf holes is simulated and the player proceeds sequentially from one set of apparatus to the next in a predetermined pattern approaching from different directions. Thus, nine holes may be played with three sets of apparatus hereinafter described in detail, the same hole being approached from three different directions during the sequence of play. This sequence and the directions of approach sometimes require more than two putts, thereby further simulating golf conditions.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view showing the different items of apparatus laid out in a typical course.

FIG. 2 is a plan .of one set of apparatus viewed from the top.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view partly broken away to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing suspension of a cup on the upper end of the rod.

FIG. 6 is a modified construction of the rod of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing markings on the side of the cup for alignment purposes.

In playing the game, several sets of apparatus are preferably used. As illustrated in FIG. 1, there are three sets marked 10A, 10B, 10C, it being understood that fewer or more sets may be used. Each set is substantially identical, the markings of numbers to represent hole being the distinguishing characteristic among the several sets. A base 11 is provided of a size about 6 inches square of a thin material such as cardboard or plastic and adapted to rest on the ground or carpet. In the middle of base 11 is a socket 12 which receives a lower end of a circular cross-sectional rod 13 about 6% inches high and surmounted at the top with a cap 14 which reduces the likelihood of injury to the player. Spaced partway down rod 13 is a notch 16 which provides a horizontal ledge 17 to support cup 21 as hereinafter explained. About seven-eighth inch above base 11 and fixed to rod 13 is a bar 18, it being understood that a conventional golf ball has a 1% inches diameter and hence the center of such ball will normally contact the rod 18 as the ball rolls over the base 11. As best shown in FIG. 4, bar 18 is in the shape of an equilateral triangle assuming that each set of apparatus is to represent three holes. The width of each base is such that if a ball approaches rod 13 from a direction perpendicular to one of the bases and if it comes close enough to the rod 13 so that in an actual golf putting green the ball would have dropped into the cup, then the ball contacts some portion of bar 18. As indicated, there are three sides or bases marked reference numerals 19a, 19b, 19c.

Vertically slideable relative to rod 13 is a cup 21. In a preferred form, the cup has a top 22 preferably formed with a plurality of holes 23 to reduce wind resistance when the cup falls. Below top 22 is a skirt having a short frusto-conical upper portion and a depending cylindrical portion 26. The lower edge of skirt 26 is sufficiently above base 11 so as not to interfere with movement of the golf ball on base 11.

Marked on rod 13 is a vertical narrow stripe 27 (see FIG. 7) and marked on top-22 is a radial stripe 28 extending out from central hole 29. In the initial alignment of cup 21 on rod 13, the stripes 27 and 28 are lined up and the margin of hole 29' is slipped on to ledge 17. Either the hole 29 is formed off center or weights (not shown) are attached to cup 21 so that the cup balances on the ledge 17 horizontal as viewed in FIG. 3. Stripe 27 functions to help the player locate cup 21 on ledge 17 in proper horizontal balance, as well as in alignment with stripe 28.

Marked on the exterior of cup 21 is a hole indicator 31 numbered from one to nine in the preferred form shown in FIG. 1 and extending up from the bottom of skirt 26 are vertical markings 32 which are spaced apart an arcuate distance of 120. Connecting arch lines 33 are marked between the upper ends of marks 32 and circle 31.

Base 11, as best shown in FIG. 4, is marked with a circle 36 equal to the diameter of a conventional golf cup (4% inches). Three sector dividing lines 37 extend out from the center of the base to intersect circle 36 and these are aligned so that they are immediately below lines 32 when the cup 21 is properly positioned on rod 13 with stripes 27 and 28 aligned.

Directing attention to FIG. I, a starting pad 41 is preferably provided consisting of a thick piece of plastic which is placed on the ground and formed with a notch 42 facing toward the first set 10a. Ball 44 is placed on the carpet or ground within notch 42. The first set 10a is located so that the numeral 1 on base 11 is facing toward notch 42. The other two sets 10b and are placed at convenient distances, a preferred pattern being shown in FIG. 1, but this pattern is subject to variation. The player then uses a conventional putter to putt the ball 44 toward the set 111a. It will be understood, however, that in each of the sets the cup 21 has been raised and rests on ledge 17. The first hole is a one-putt par hole and if the ball 44 is stroked properly it will hit the bar 18 if it passes within circle 36. If it does not come this close to the hole, then one or more additional putts are required. It will further be understood that the guide lines 32 determine whether the ball is approaching the hole from the proper direction. Assuming that the player has now sunk his putt, the ball is then placed at point 43 which is removed one putter head length from the corner of base 11 of set a. It will be noted with reference to FIG. 1 that to approach hole two from a direction between the lines 37, or in other words, between the lines 32 of the cup at set 10b, two putts may be used in the dogleg pattern illustrated. To reach hole 3, the ball is next placed at point 43a and the player proceeds from hole to hole. It will, of course, be understood that several players may play in turn and the game provides considerable amusement and competition and also improves putting skill. The player with the lowest number of strokes wins the game.

An alternate construction is shown in FIG. 6 wherein an integral or inserted peg 46 projects from rod 13a to support on its top surface the cup 21 (not shown in FIG. 6). In other respects, the structure of FIG. 6 is similar to that of the preceding modification.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for a game simulating golf putting for use with a conventional golf ball said apparatus comprising a flat base of sheet material, a rod projecting up from said base and formed with a ledge located above said base, and an inverted cup having a bottom edge of a diameter equal to that of a conventional golf green cup and a top formed with a substantially central hole larger than the cross section of said rod whereby said cup may be positioned with a portion of said top around said central hole resting on said ledge with the bottom edge of said cup positioned above said base a distance greater than the diameter of said conventional golf ball, whereby when said rod is jarred by contact of a ball therewith said cup is dislodged from said ledge to drop to engage said ball.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises a bar fixed to said rod at a distance above said base one-half the diameter of said conventional golf ball, said bar in top plan shaped as an equilateral triangle, each side of said triangle dimensioned so that a conventional golf ball putted toward said rod in a direction perpendicular to any base of said triangle will contact said bar if said ball would have dropped into a putting hole having a diameter equal to the diameter of said bottom edge of said cup, and its center coincident with the center of said rod.

3. A game apparatus according to claim 2 which further comprises first and second alignment means on said top and said rod, respectively, to enable the user to align said cup in pre-determined position relative to said base, said cup having vertical markings thereon spaced apart an angular distance of said markings being positioned so that a line joining the lower ends of two said markings is parallel to one of the sides of said bar when said first and second alignment means are aligned.

4. A game according to claim 1 in which said cup has a frusto-conical portion immediately below said top and a cylindrical skirt below said frusto-conical portion, said top being apertured to reduce air resistance when said cup drops. 

1. Apparatus for a game simulating golf putting for use with a conventional golf ball said apparatus comprising a flat base of sheet material, a rod projecting up from said base and formed with a ledge located above said base, and an inverted cup having a bottom edge of a diameter equal to that of a conventional golf green cup and a top formed with a substantially central hole larger than the cross section of said rod whereby said cup may be positioned with a portion of said top around said central hole resting on said ledge with the bottom edge of said cup positioned above said base a distance greater than the diameter of said conventional golf ball, whereby when said rod is jarred by contact of a ball therewith said cup is dislodged from said ledge to drop to engage said ball.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises a bar fixed to said rod at a distance above said base one-half the diameter of said conventional golf ball, said bar in top plan shaped as an equilateral triangle, each side of said triangle dimensioned so that a conventional golf ball putted toward said rod in a direction perpendicular to any base of said triangle will contact said bar if said ball would have dropped into a putting hole having a diameter equal to the diameter of said bottom edge of said cup, and its center coincident with the center of said rod.
 3. A game apparatus according to claim 2 which further comprises first and second alignment means on said top and said rod, respectively, to enable the user to align said cup in pre-determined position relative to said base, said cup having vertical markings thereon spaced apart an angular distance of 120*, said markings being positioned so that a line joining the lower ends of two said markings is parallel to one of the sides of said bar when said first and second alignment means are aligned.
 4. A game according to claim 1 in which said cup has a frusto-conical portion immediately below said top and a cylindrical skirt below said frusto-conical portion, said top being apertured to reduce air resistance when said cup drops. 